Since the sofa can't be centered on the fireplace, I would move it down toward the window so it's centered on the wall, then add in one swivel chair that is roughly across from the fireplace.

I fear any rug will be interfered with either by the door or the hearth, so I would just use a (probably 4x6) rug at the door, running from the edge of the door frame all the way to the window wall. Your coat rack can stand on the rug.

I like the bench where it is; I would center it under the window and move the floor lamp to the other side, by the f/p.

Can the TV go in another room? If not, then I would center the sofa on its wall and put the TV at an angle in the corner where you currently have the bench. I'd probably add a single guest chair at the end of the sofa facing the window. This pretty much violates every design rule in the book, but sometimes you have to with houses that were built before TV was ubiquitous.

Pretty woodwork and floors. Would it work for you to switch the dining and living rooms?

Would it be possible to pull the couch closer and center it on the fireplace - with circulation behind the couch? This may put the couch too close to the TV. Other suggestions- a smaller couch that could be centered on the fireplace, or two loveseats perpendicular to the fireplace. This is such a lovely symmetrical fireplace wall, it seems a shame to have the couch off center.

Thank you for all of the comments so far! I would not want to switch the living room and dining room, as the dining room flows right into the kitchen and I think it would be odd to enter the house and walk right into the dining room. The TV is mounted over the fireplace with wires hidden in the wall, so moving at this point isn't ideal. I do wish I had space to float the sofa away from the wall, but unfortunately the area is too narrow. And the sofa is practically brand new, so unfortunately it does need to stay.

I had a thought; what if I added a tall potted plant, or arching lamp, to the left of the sofa to help balance out the space on the wall? Or perhaps an ottoman in that space, that could be moved around as needed? I'm concerned if I shift the sofa to the center of the wall, it is very close to the front door, and you kind of run smack into it upon entry.

Your ideas for a plant, lamp, and ottoman sound good.

As groveraxle mentioned, there won't be any solution that is perfect from a "proper design" viewpoint so the best thing to do is to confidently do what you need for your use of the area, and make choices that bring you joy :)

You also asked about the artwork; I think that since it can't stay within the bounds of the sofa, it should be replaced. If it didn't hang past the edge on the left I would say keep it but as it is I say replace.

Thank you all again, I feel like I have more direction and ideas. Will post the finished product once I figure it all out!

Since rule breaking is the only thing that will work here -- why not move the TV down to be in front of the window where the storage box is? It could sit on a pretty chest or low table that would also hide the wires. Then would the art fit in the panel where the TV is currently mounted? The TV viewing angle as it is now looks like a neck killer to me.

Some sort of club chair could sit on the other side of the fireplace to be pulled forward as needed. And a small occasional chair could be by the pillar between the living room and dining room.

I also like groveraxle's idea of angling the TV by the window - maybe a smaller TV. That might leave room for an ottoman in front of the window and a single person could recline on the sofa for TV viewing.

An arc lamp might help balance the space some more, also getting a rug with some of the colors in your painting will help as well. See our two designs below for some ideas.

Can you measure the living room and dining room and do a quick floor plan? Also need the dimensions of all the furniture. The floor plan doesn't have to be fancy, but need all measurements. Start in the corner on the left of the front door>corner to door moulding>front door including moulding>wall inbetween front door and window>window including moulding> moulding to corner. etc. you get the idea. I would be happy to scale it out for you. It's much easier to play with everything abstractly on paper. I would love to help, it's a beautiful space.

Thank you Denise and Crespo Design! Denise, I am out of town, but as soon as I can submit those measurements I definitely will. That is so kind of you to offer that. Crespo Design, I had a similar thought about an arc lamp like the one you showed. I was thinking if I move the couch even further from the door, and fill the space with a lamp, or a tall plant, and either a chair or ottoman, that may help to balance it out. What about a small club chair at an angle, to the left of the fireplace, where I currently have the lamp and storage bench? Additional photos below ( I was experimenting with filling that space to the left of the couch to see if it would help -- The space is so narrow that I could not get far enough back to fit the whole area in one photo! )

Moving the sofa to the right helped so much with the art closer to the window. You definitely can add a lounge chair and ottoman where the bench is located on the left of the fireplace. Now you have enough room for a barrel chair in front of the window to the left of the sofa. The space needs a wood cabinet, either under the window on the right of the fireplace, or on the left of the sofa from the sofa arm to the window (so wen you look at the sofa, that elevation is well balanced with the cabinet on the left and the stair on the right of the sofa. Also consider a rug as big as possible. It will define the space and make the room look larger.

Denise thank you so much!! I am feeling so much better about this space now. Now to go shopping!

Consider using the small wood table on the right of the sofa with the new lounge chair (replacing the bench). Use the round coffee table you have now between the sofa and the stair - a low end table. Look for a very long narrow coffee table in front of the sofa. The round is the wrong scale. The coffee table can be 15" to 18" away from the edge of the sofa and as long as possible 24" x 54" (?). BTW - impressive art! Nice.

Thank you jakkom! I actually do have the TV mounted so that it can tilt and pull out and swivel left to right. I love that I can see it from the kitchen! just wish I was taller so it was easier for me to push back against the wall ;-)

And thanks again Denise! So appreciate all of the great suggestions! Any thoughts on rug color? I'm thinking maybe ivory with dark gray or black design, something subtle?

You are so welcome, laurensing. You are asking the wrong person for a rug suggestion that is subtle. It's not that I like crazy rugs, but I would go for something interesting. The sofa and art are a starter. For rugs, I do best on craigslist or estate sales, or anthropologie rugs on sale. You can find a quality wool handmade rug for a great price and just bring it straight to the cleaners. The cheap poly rugs are not appealing to me. You were very smart to start with a classic sofa design and color.

Looks like the entrance goes right into the living room. If it's right off the street, be careful about a light rug or a rug with a light background, as it will get dirty so fast and a dark rug, especially without a design, shows every little piece of lint (drives me crazy).

Here's an 8x10 from anthropologie

https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/geo-megali-rug?category=sale-rugs&color=005&quantity=1&size=8%E2%80%99%20X%2010%E2%80%99&type=REGULAR

I like this for your room also and might consider the garnet color which would be amazing on your wood floors, as it has that mahogany color in the rug.

https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/meralda-rug?category=sale-rugs&color=006&quantity=1&size=9%E2%80%99%20X%2012%E2%80%99&type=REGULAR